Photo: Daniel Studio
All-time record: 3–4–2
At Talen Energy Stadium: 2–2–1
At Avaya Stadium: 1–2–1
Goals for: 10
Goals against: 10
Did you know…
With the Union facing former player Shea Salinas this weekend, it’s a good time to reflect on the 2009 MLS Expansion Draft. Exactly 50% of the players Philadelphia selected are still in the league, albeit not with the Union. They are Salinas, Jordan Harvey, Andrew Jacobson, Brad Knighton, and Sebastian Le Toux. The five players no longer playing in MLS are Stefani Miglioranzi, Alejandro Moreno, David Myrie, Shavar Thomas, and Nick Zimmerman.
April 30, 2016: Philadelphia Union 1-1 San Jose Earthquakes
PSP Match Report Highlights
Philadelphia Union went up a man but gave up a late goal as they split the points with San Jose Earthquakes.
The Union took the lead in the 30th minute through Pontius. The midfielder did well to win Philadelphia a corner kick after another fantastic throughball from Barnetta down the left side. The Swiss man, wearing the captain’s armband in Carroll’s absence, whipped in the corner and Pontius rose over Kofi Sarkodie punished the ball into the top right corner of Bingham’s goal.
The Earthquakes would equalize in the 83rd minute through Simon Dawkins. The Jamaican international gathered the ball 25 yards from the Union goal after Josh Yaro failed to completely clear a bouncing ball, slalomed through multiple tackles, and fired a well-placed shot into the lower left corner of Blake’s net from 17 yards.
PSP Analysis and Player Ratings Highlights
All of the good moves Philadelphia Union have made since the doldrums of last summer came together on Saturday’s goal. And it was representative of how the first seventy minutes of the match developed: The Union were superior because they pressed as a unit, and because they had balance in midfield, and because they could pass out of the back, and because they were confident on the ball.
But one of the reasons it has never made much sense to carry Wondolowski as a bench striker on the US Men’s National Team is that one of his best attributes is how he learns during a game. Describing his job as a striker, Wondolowski wrote, “A major part of my job is to lie (sorry, Mom). I have to use deception to manipulate two, sometimes three, defenders guarding me. It’s a 90-minute game of chess. If I know we don’t have the ball in a threatening spot, I’ll often sacrifice my positioning for a little while so I can soften up the defenders for later.”
PSP Postgame Video and Quote Sheet
Link to MLS Match Center for Stats, Chalkboard, and more
Philadelphia Union
Andre Blake, Keegan Rosenberry, Josh Yaro, Richie Marquez, Ray Gaddis, Warren Creavalle, Vincent Nogueira, Tranquillo Barnetta (Leo Fernandes 87′), Chris Pontius (Ilsinho 73′), Sebastien Le Toux (Fabian Herbers 86′), C.J. Sapong
Unused Subs: Matt Jones, Anderson Conceicao, Roland Alberg, Brian Carroll
San Jose Earthquakes
David Bingham, Shaun Francis, Victor Bernardez, Marvell Wynne, Kofi Sarkodie, Alberto Quintero (Matias Perez Garcia 76′), Simon Dawkins, Anibal Godoy, Fatai Alashe (Chad Barrett 85′), Chris Wondolowski, Innocent (Shea Salinas 55′)
Unused Subs: Adam Jahn, Tommy Thompson, Jordan Stewart, Bryan Meredith
Scoring Summary
PHL: Chris Pontius – 30′ (Tranquillo Barnetta)
SJ: Simon Dawkins – 83′
Disciplinary Summary
SJ: Fatai Alashe (dissent) – 30′
SJ: Anibal Godoy (foul) – 35′
SJ: Anibal Godoy (foul – second yellow) – 59′
September 5, 2015: San Jose Earthquakes 1-2 Philadelphia Union
PSP match report highlight:
Maligned throughout the year for questionable substitutions, Jim Curtin found the perfect move on Saturday night.
Introducing Conor Casey in the 71st minute of a game they trailed 1-0, Curtin’s Philadelphia Union rode a brace by the big man to a stunning 2-1 win in their first appearance at San Jose’s sparkling new Avaya Stadium.
After a first 60 minutes marked by two disputed penalty non-calls, a handball by Fabinho handed Chris Wondolowski the opportunity to score from the spot in the 64th minute. But Casey overpowered the Earthquakes defense with goals in the 74th and 86th minutes thanks to excellent service from Ray Gaddis and Tranquillo Barnetta, and the Union defense put together a solid performance on the road against a red hot Quakes side.
PSP analysis and player ratings highlight:
Philadelphia Union keep you guessing. A week after New England left them chasing ghosts, the Union traveled to San Jose and snuck out with a win.
And here’s the rub: Philly did it by playing exceptionally organized defense on the road. Sure, the Quakes were missing a few important players, but that does not in and of itself explain how the Union flipped from spacious, chaotic defense to a tight unit in one week.
Link to MLS Match Center for Stats, Chalkboard and more
Philadelphia Union
John McCarthy; Fabinho, Richie Marquez, Steven Vitoria, Ray Gaddis; Michael Lahoud, Vincent Nogueira (Warren Creavalle 90+3′); Eric Ayuk (Andrew Wenger 89′), Tranquillo Barnetta, Sebastien Le Toux (Conor Casey 71′); CJ Sapong
Unused Substitutes: Brian Sylvestre, Zach Pfeffer, Ethan White, Fernando Aristeguieta
San Jose Earthquakes
David Bingham; Marvelle Wynne, Clarence Goodson, Victor Bernardez (J.J. Koval 39′), Shaun Francis; Fatai Alashe, Cordell Cato, Matias Perez Garcia (Tommy Thompson 82′), Shea Salinas; Chris Wondolowski, Quincy Amarikwa (Adam Jahn 86′)
Unused Substitutes: Bryan Meredith, Leandro Barrera, Michael Fucito, Mark Sherrod
Scoring Summary
SJ — Chris Wondolowski (PK) – 64′
PHI — Conor Casey (Ray Gaddis) — 74′
PHI — Conor Casey (Tranquillo Barnetta) — 86′
Disciplinary Summary
SJ — Clarence Goodson (Unsporting Behavior) — 52′
PHI — Fabinho (Handball) — 63′
PHI — Conor Casey (Unsporting Behavior) — 79′
August 24, 2014: Philadelphia Union 4-2 San Jose Earthquakes
PSP match report highlight:
After throwing away an early two goal lead, Philadelphia Union roared back with goals from Sheanon Williams and Andrew Wenger to insure a precious three points, defeating San Jose 4-2 at PPL Park on Sunday night. Wenger finished with a brace after he and Sebastien Le Toux had the Union in front by a pair of goals after only 14 minutes.
Despite finishing the first half with all of the momentum, the Union sat back after the break, allowing San Jose back into the game. And the visitors took their chances with Sam Cronin smashing an unstoppable volley past debutante Rais Mbolhi, before Chris Wondolowski capitalized on a Ray Gaddis mistake, pounding home the equalizer.
The Union’s lead was quickly restored only two minutes later when Williams’ pouncing on a Le Toux free kick, before Wenger raced away from Shaun Francis and launched an unstoppable drive past Jon Busch.
PSP analysis and player ratings highlight:
A week off from a static, energy-sapping loss in Houston, and the shoe was on the other foot Sunday night.
With the Union playing the part of the rested, organized home team, and the visiting San Jose Earthquakes in the role of the ragged, midweek weary visitors, this match always looked like three points for the hosts. But this is MLS, and as Adam Cann pointed out in his preview, San Jose has been a handful on the road.
PSP Postgame Quote Sheet and Video
Link to MLS Match Center for Stats, Chalkboard and more
Philadelphia Union
Rais Mbolhi; Sheanon Williams (Michael Lahoud ’75), Ethan White, Carlos Valdes, Ray Gaddis; Amobi Okugo, Maurice Edu; Sebastien Le Toux, Vincent Nogueira, Andrew Wenger (Danny Cruz ’82); Conor Casey (Brian Brown ’62)
Unused substitutes: Zac MacMath, Fred, Brian Carroll, Cristian Maidana.
San Jose Earthquakes
Jon Busch; Ty Harden (Shaun Francis ’66), Victor Bernardez, Jason Hernandez, Jordan Stewart; Shea Salinas, Sam Cronin, JJ Koval (Jean-Baptiste Pierazzi ’46), Cordell Cato; Tommy Thompson, Chris Wondolowski
Unused substitutes: Bryan Meredith, Adam Jahn, Brandon Barklage, Billy Schuler
Scoring Summary
PHI: Wenger (Le Toux, Casey) — 10
PHI: Le Toux — 14
SJE: Cronin — 59
SJE: Wondolowski (Salinas) — 70
PHI: Williams (Le Toux) — 72
PHI: Wenger — 79
Discipline Summary
PHI: Le Toux (caution) — 67
Referee: Ted Unkel
Attendance: 17421
September 8, 2013 San Jose Earthquakes 1-0 Philadelphia Union
PSP match report highlight:
Philadelphia Union fell 1-0 on the road Sunday to the San Jose Earthquakes, squandering an opportunity to steal a share of the points after Rafael Baca was sent off in the 57th minute.
The hosts had dominated the first half at a canter, with Shea Salinas opening the scoring early to put the Earthquakes up a goal. San Jose provided all the menace coming out in the second half, but a late, dangerous tackle from Baca saw the visitors gifted a man advantage for the final half hour.
Though they twice struck the post, the Union could not find a way past Jon Busch and were unable to add separation in the standings between themselves and Houston, New England or Chicago, all of whom also lost this weekend.
PSP analysis and player ratings highlight:
On Sunday night, the Union clashed with a team they closely resemble.
Up front, both sides boast a bruising forward (Casey for the Union, Gordon for San Jose), and a complementary, poaching finisher (McInerney and Wondolowski). Service is provided exclusively from the flanks because the central midfield is occupied by an almost full-time defensive midfielder (Carroll and Cronin) alongside a player who projects as more of a creative playmaker than he actually is (Daniel and Baca).
Sunday’s match even saw both sides missing defensive stalwarts, though the Union were down only Amobi Okugo, while San Jose was forced to cope without both Clarence Goodson and Victor Bernardez.
Yet, until Baca was sent to the showers after the first hour, the Quakes dominated the Union.
Link to MLS Match Center for Stats, Chalkboard and more
Philadelphia Union
Zac MacMath; Ray Gaddis (Aaron Wheeler ’78), Sheanon Williams, Jeff Parke, Fabinho; Sebastien Le Toux, Brian Carroll, Keon Daniel, Danny Cruz (Michael Farfan ’60); Jack McInerney (Antoine Hoppenot ’70), Conor Casey
Unused substitutes: Oka Nikolov, Matt Kassel, Leo Fernandes, Kleberson
San Jose Earthquakes
Jon Busch; Stephen Beitashour, Jason Hernandez, Justin Morrow, Jordan Stewart; Cordell Cato (Adam Jahn ’86), Rafael Baca, Sam Cronin, Shea Salinas; Chris Wondolowski, Alan Gordon (Steven Lenhart ’71)
Unused substitutes: David Bingham, Dan Gargan, Ramiro Corrales, Walter Martinez, Jaime Alas
Scoring Summary 
15 – SJE: Salinas (Cronin)
Discipline Summary
18 – PHI: Cruz (caution)
20 – PHI: McInerney (caution)
36 – PHI: Daniel (caution)
45 – SJE: Baca (caution)
57 – SJE: Baca (ejection)
63 – SJE: Gordon (caution)
91 – SJE: Lenhart (caution)
Referee: Fotis Bazakos
Attendance: 10034
April 28, 2012: Philadelphia Union 1-2 San Jose Earthquakes
PSP match report highlight:
“Substitute Steven Lenhart’s stoppage time goal ended the Union’s unbeaten streak at three as the Western Conference-leading San Jose Earthquakes stole three points in a 2-1 win at PPL Park on Saturday night.
“It was a busy 30 minutes for Lenhart, who also broke the scoreless deadlock in the 76th minute. Danny Mwanga had set up Gabriel Gomez for the Union’s equalizer in the 83rd minute, but it was not enough as Lenhart evaded the attention of Danny Califf and Sheanon Williams to nod home Marvin Chavez’s cross with only seconds left to play.”
PSP analysis and player ratings highlight:
“Saturday’s home game against the depleted West Conference leading San Jose Earthquakes should have been a chance for Philadelphia Union to jump on their weakened guests and claim a third consecutive victory. Instead, the Union started tentatively, conceding possession and territory in the first half and looking tremendously disorganized in the process.
“With the defense in dire need of chances to regroup against the unceasing San Jose attack, ball possession became paramount. Yet the entire Union midfield was guilty of treating every touch too preciously, as if it would be their last and therefore must lead directly to a goal. While San Jose was content to play catch deep in the midfield between Tressor Moreno and Sam Cronin before they launched their attack, the Union enjoyed few such periods as they chose to go it alone, attacking one-on-the-house, trying to create a moment of individual brilliance at the expense of team cohesion.”
Link to MLS Match Center for Stats, Chalkboard and more
Philadelphia Union
Zac MacMath; Sheanon Williams, Carlos Valdes, Danny Califf, Raymon Gaddis (Cristhian Hernandez ’82) ; Michael Farfan, Amobi Okugo, Gabriel Gomez, Kai Herdling (Jack McInerney ’63), Freddy Adu; Lionard Pajoy (Danny Mwanga ’75)
Unused substitutes: Chase Harrison, Josue Martinez, Zach Pfeffer, Chris Albright
San Jose Earthquakes
Jon Busch; Justin Morrow, Jason Hernandez, Ike Opara, Steven Beitashour; Sam Cronin (Steven Lenhart ’60), Rafael Baca, Tressor Moreno (Marvin Chavez ’60), Simon Dawkins; Khari Stephenson, Chris Wondolowski
Unused substitutes: David Bingham, Brad Ring, Jean-Marc Alexandre, Sam Garza, Sercan Guvenisik
Scoring Summary
76 – San Jose: Steven Lenhart (Marvin Chavez)
83 – Philadelphia: Gabriel Gomez (Danny Mwanga)
90+3 – San Jose: Steven Lenhart (Marvin Chavez)
Misconduct Summary
None
Referee: Baldomero Toledo
Attendance: 18581
July 9, 2011: San Jose 0–0 Philadelphia Union
PSP match report highlight:
“A second half of dominance produced no goals for the Union, who earned their first west coast point but were good enough that they should have had more.”
Link to MLS Match Center for Stats, Chalkboard and more.
Scoring Summary: 
None
Misconduct Summary:
SJ — Ryan Johnson (caution; Reckless Foul) 64
SJ — Ramiro Corrales (caution; Dissent) 66
SJ — Jason Hernandez (caution; Reckless Tackle) 89
Lineups:
Philadelphia Union—Faryd Mondragon, Sheanon Williams, Danny Califf, Stefani Miglioranzi, Gabriel Farfan, Kyle Nakazawa, Brian Carroll, Justin Mapp (Roger Torres 70), Keon Daniel (Michael Farfan 58), Sebastien Le Toux, Danny Mwanga (Jack McInerney 79).
Substitutes Not Used: Juan Diego Gonzalez, Amobi Okugo, Zach Pfeffer, Zac MacMath.
San Jose Earthquakes— Jon Busch, Chris Leitch, Bobby Burling, Jason Hernandez, Ramiro Corrales, Anthony Ampaipitakwong (Ellis McLoughlin 59), Brad Ring, Khari Stephenson, Ryan Johnson, Simon Dawkins (Rafael Baca 80), Chris Wondolowski.
Substitutes Not Used: Sam Cronin, Justin Morrow, Scott Sealy, Tim Ward, Andrew Weber.
Referee: Elias Bazakos
Referee’s Assistants: George Gansner; Corey Parker
4th Official: Juan Guzman
Attendance: 9,794
Time of Game: 1:51
Weather: Sunny and 73 degrees
April 30, 2011: Philadelphia Union 1–0 San Jose Earthquakes
PSP match report highlight:
“After a tight and fairly chance-less forty minutes, referee Mark Geiger made sure that the critics of MLS refereeing have all the video evidence they need to strengthen their case. Sebastien Le Toux’s 76th minute penalty kick winner was the icing on the cake for a team that continued to take the game to San Jose after losing Jordan Harvey to a straight red card.”
PSP analysis and ratings highlight:
“The game itself was a slightly less dour version of the usual Union fare. A spacious 4-3-3 allowed Philadelphia to spread San Jose’s defense while a confluence of overplayed through balls, miscommunication and poor first touches kept the score even.”
Link to MLS Match Center for Stats, Chalkboard and more.
Scoring Summary: 
PHI – Sebastien Le Toux 1 (Unassisted) 76’
Misconduct Summary:
PHI — Amobi Okugo (caution; Reckless Foul) 27
PHI — Faryd Mondragon (caution; Unsporting Behavior) 31
SJ — Brandon McDonald (caution; Unsporting Behavior) 32
PHI — Jordan Harvey (ejection; Violent Conduct) 41
SJ — Bobby Convey (caution; Delaying a Restart) 60
Lineups:
San Jose Earthquakes—Jon Busch, Chris Leitch, Jason Hernandez, Justin Morrow, Bobby Burling, Brandon McDonald (Sam Cronin 64), Scott Sealy (Bobby Convey 58), Anthony Ampaipitakwong (Ryan Johnson 72), Chris Wondolowski, Brad Ring, Steven Lenhart.
Substitutes Not Used: Ramiro Corrales, Ike Opara, Khari Stephenson, Andrew Weber.
Philadelphia Union—Faryd Mondragon, Sheanon Williams, Carlos Valdes, Danny Califf, Jordan Harvey, Keon Daniel, Roger Torres (Michael Farfan 46), Amobi Okugo, Sebastien Le Toux, Carlos Ruiz (Kyle Nakazawa 83), Danny Mwanga (Stefani Miglioranzi 46).
Substitutes Not Used: Justin Mapp, Jack McInerney, Ryan Richter, Zac MacMath.
Referee: Mark Geiger
Referee’s Assistants: Craig Lowry; Eric Boria
4th Official: Chris Penso
Attendance: 18,279
Time of Game: 1:52
Weather: Sunny-and-61-degrees
September 15, 2010: San Jose Earthquakes 1–0 Philadelphia Union
PSP match report highlight:
“Philadelphia Union lost 1-0 to the San Jose Jose Earthquakes on Wednesday as another defensive lapse cost Philadelphia at least a point. Chris Wondolowski scored the only goal of the game, heading in a cross as central defenders Danny Califf and Michael Orozco Fiscal had first row seats as they stood and watched the play develop.”
Scoring Summary:
SJ – Chris Wondolowski 9 (Arturo Alvarez 1) 69’
Misconduct Summary:
PHI — Andrew Jacobson (caution; Tactical Foul) 20
SJ — Bobby Convey (caution; Delaying a Restart) 90
SJ — Arturo Alvarez (caution; Delaying a Restart) 94+
Lineups:
Philadelphia Union—Brad Knighton, Sheanon Williams, Danny Califf, Michael Orozco Fiscal, Jordan Harvey, Fred (Danny Mwanga 72), Andrew Jacobson, Stefani Miglioranzi, Justin Mapp (Jack McInerney 74), Sebastien Le Toux, Alejandro Moreno (Shea Salinas 58).
Substitutes Not Used: Cristian Arrieta, Kyle Nakazawa, Amobi Okugo, Chris Seitz.
TOTAL SHOTS: 9; SHOTS ON GOAL: 5; FOULS: 11; OFFSIDES: 3; CORNER KICKS: 8; SAVES: 5
San Jose Earthquakes—Jon Busch, Chris Leitch, Jason Hernandez, Brandon McDonald, Tim Ward, Joey Gjertsen (Arturo Alvarez 46), Sam Cronin, Khari Stephenson (Eduardo 46), Bobby Convey, Geovanni, Chris Wondolowski.
Substitutes Not Used: Bobby Burling, Cornell Glen, Ryan Johnson, Brad Ring, Alex Horwath.
TOTAL SHOTS: 8; SHOTS ON GOAL: 6; FOULS: 11; OFFSIDES: 6; CORNER KICKS: 6; SAVES: 5
Referee: Silviu Petrescu
Referee’s Assistants: Ian Anderson; Chris Strickland
4th Official: Yader Reyes
Time of Game: 1:54
Weather: Clear and 65 degrees
Attendance: 8,109
July 10, 2010: Philadelphia Union 1–2 San Jose Earthquakes
PSP match report highlight:
“The Union dropped their first home game on Saturday with a disappointing 2-1 loss to the San Jose Earthquakes. After dominating most of the match and certainly all of the second half, one San Jose counterattack stole the points in the 90th minute.”
Scoring Summary:
PHI — Fred 2 (Danny Mwanga 2) 14
SJ — Cornell Glen 1 (Chris
Wondolowski 1) 45
SJ — Arturo Alvarez 3 (Bobby Convey 8) 90
Misconduct Summary:
PHI — Fred (caution; Reckless Foul) 52
SJ — Chris Wondolowski (caution; Reckless Foul) 69
SJ — Ramiro Corrales (caution; Unsporting Behavior) 93+
Lineups:
San Jose Earthquakes—Jon Busch, Jason Hernandez, Bobby Burling, Ike Opara, Ramiro Corrales, Sam Cronin, Brandon McDonald (Brad Ring 88), Joey Gjertsen, Bobby Convey, Cornell Glen (Ryan Johnson 67), Chris Wondolowski (Arturo Alvarez 74).
Substitutes Not Used: Chris Leitch, Javier Robles, Omar Jasseh, Joe Cannon.
Philadelphia Union—Chris Seitz, Michael Orozco Fiscal, Danny Califf, Jordan Harvey, Cristian Arrieta, Fred (Jack McInerney 81), Stefani Miglioranzi, Sebastien Le Toux, Andrew Jacobson
(Shea Salinas 64), Alejandro Moreno (Roger Torres 55), Danny Mwanga.
Substitutes Not Used: Nick Zimmerman, Amobi Okugo, Toni Stahl, Brad Knighton.
Referee: Abiodun Okulaja
Referee’s Assistants: Brian Poeschel; Craig Lowry
4th Official: David Gantar
Attendance: 17,183
Time of Game: 1:51
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